It's Been Way Too Long, But Still on the Journey!

I cannot believe that it's May and over a month since I have blogged! As I type, I am realizing already that I have missed it.

Ah, were do I begin?

ING Half Marathon: I guess the ING Half Marathon would be a good start. I RAN! I FINISHED (and within my GOAL)! AND NO, I WILL NOT RUN A MARATHON NOW! What a wonderful experience!!! I found a running buddy while waiting to start, and we got each other through--all the way to the finish line. Thank you to all my friends and family for your encouragement and support! And, thanks to My Sweetie, I actually have pictures to show for it!!!

A Set Back: Now on to my lack of motivation AFTER the Half Marathon. Training for the Half Marathon actually got me out of my weight and kettlebell routine. Then, I had a spell where I just did not eat like I know I should--I literally overdosed on Stacey's Pita Chips! While they are healthy, eating almost an entire bag in one sitting is NOT GOOD!! So, despite the Half-Marathon training, I had put on a few lbs--NOT GOOD! Hmm, maybe my lapse in blogging and the lack of accountability was a factor.

Tennis: My dear friend and sorority sister Gina was right--it's addictive! I pretty much spent all of April on the courts! I won my singles league division and helped my team make it to the play-offs, so I feel pretty good about the season.

My Feet: All the tennis has resulted in my feet taking a serious beating! The pain was so bad that I actually went to the podiatrist! Shay Shay is stubborn and prefers to tough it out rather than going to a doctor. But, I could not ignore what felt like knives sticking in my feet. It turns out I have "flexible flat feet" that are aggravated by the all the tennis. So, the podiatrist took cast of my feet, and now I have fancy, custom made shoe orthodics just for me. Yeah, me (you can't hear my sarcasm here)!

Having to get the orthodics was really no big deal, but while I was there the podiatrist noticed an ugly area on my foot that resulted from an over-eager pedicurist with a scrub sponge. The area had actually been bothering for a while--not because it hurt (it didn't), but because it was just UGLY!

So, he biopsied it. I was actually glad to have the area removed because sandal season is here, and I had no idea how much moisturizer it would have taken to make the area so slightly okay. The cut looks like a nickle-sized pothole on my foot and is sore to the touch, but did that stop Shay Shay from doing her thing on the courts (NOPE--see above). Staying on my toes on the courts actually felt better than walking! Imagine that (amazing what some painkillers, adrenaline and pure stubbornness will allow you to do!)

Well, although the victories were sweet, the podiatrist was not pleased with the progress of the healing when I went to my follow-up. Nor, was he content with my second follow-up today. So, today I am going to listen. I am going to take a break from the courts. My feet are "pretty" enough without having a yucky wound to add to the mix!

Back on Track: With the help of a plan from my favorite fitness magazine, Oxygen, I am back to my disciplined eating. I am also finding ways to exercise without putting too much pressure on my feet. I am under where I was before I had the set back. I am determined to Keep the Momentum Going!

Shay Shay WILL be READY for the POOL!!